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TV Screen Protector – Are They Worth the Money?

A TV screen protector is a simply piece of hardware. All screen protectors do basically the same thing and achieve the desired result for the consumer. All are made from the same optical grade acrylic. These pieces of acrylic are then cut and molded to fit the size of most, if not all LCD TV screens. They attach to your LCD TV screen using simple Velcro straps and use small rubber or felt pads to rest against the frame of the TV.

Surprisingly, once attached, they are nearly invisible when viewed under normal lighting, although some lighting may cause an undesired reflection. In response to this, most online sellers of these screen protectors offer an anti-glare solution. Anti-glare, across the board, costs more but it may be worth the extra expense depending on your lighting situation.

What is an LCD TV screen protector made of?

All television screen protectors are made using optical grade acrylic. Optical grade acrylic is actually pretty impressive stuff. It’s scratch resistant, anti-glare and ant-reflective.

The newer acrylic materials being used in these products was developed by NASA and is also used in the automobile industry. The stuff is strong and reliable. It provides more than enough protection for your expensive television.

How does the TV screen protector attach to the TV?

Currently, all screen protectors on the market use a simple method utilizing Velcro straps to attach to your television. Once placed on your TV, there are rubber or felt tabs that rest against the frame around your screen. These “bumbers” act as shock absorbers and take the brunt of the force when the screen cover is jarred.

They are very effective and work to absorb the shock or force when something hits the screen.

What do these products protect against?

Two words: Wii controllers! Not only do they protect against thrown gaming controllers but also, hyperactive pets that like pawing at the screen, toddlers who like drawing on things, kids who throw things (all kids throw things), clumsy and inattentive adults and other types of accidental contact.

It should be noted that, if you purchased a warranty, it is probable that this warranty does not cover “accidental screen contact” resulting a shattered LCD screen. Check with the retailer from whom you purchased the TV and see if yours is covered for these types of mishaps.

So who makes these products?

There are 3 major providers or brands of TV screen protectors on the market. The only major difference between each one are slight variations in the way the Velcro straps attach to the acrylic TV screen protector and in some instances, the thickness of the LCD TV screen protector itself. All of them provide sufficient protection for your flat screen TV.

Remember, the thicker the acrylic, the heavier the product will be. One maker of these products offers a 63″ shield weighing in at 16 pounds! I don’t think most flat screen televisions were made to hold an additional 16 pounds and still remain stable, but I also don’t know of any toppling over and crushing anyone but it just feels like that would make the TV unstable on its base.

Are they worth the money?

You need to decide, knowing your own household better than anyone, if it’s worth the risk. Thousands of plasma and LCD television screens get broken every month.

Do you have active tweens, pets or young children? Is your house the neighborhood hangout that gets lots of traffic and activity? Do you entertain a lot?

Here’s the issue: You can’t fix an LCD screen once it’s broken and currently, a TV screen protector is the only available solution. Unfortunately, the LCD television screens can’t be replaced separately. Is it worth spending another $1500 on a new flat screen television?


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